Billy Evangelista

Billy Evangelista (born October 7, 1980) is a retired American mixed martial artist. A professional from 2006 until 2014, he fought for World Extreme Cagefighting, Strikeforce, and the Palace Fighting Championship in his career.

Billy Evangelista
Born (1980-10-07) October 7, 1980
Parlier, California, United States
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight155 lb (70 kg; 11.1 st)
DivisionWelterweight
Lightweight
Fighting out ofFresno, California, United States
TeamAmerican Kickboxing Academy
Team Buhawe
Years active2006-2014
Mixed martial arts record
Total17
Wins13
By knockout5
By decision8
Losses3
By submission1
By decision2
No contests1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

Evangelista was born and raised in Parlier, California and began wrestling when he was in the seventh grade. He continued at Parlier High School, where he was ranked #1 in his league as both a sophomore and junior. As a junior, he placed sixth in the Valley Championship, barely missing state qualifications. After graduating in 1999, he continued his wrestling career at Fresno City College for one season before enlisting in the United States Army in the Airborne Infantry division. He did a three-year tour and was based in Alaska. Six months prior to leaving the army, Evangelista was introduced to jiu-jitsu by his brother Jorge, who also wrestled at Fresno City College. After having his arm hyper-extended by a friend of his brother's, Evangelista fell in love with the sport and began training soon after.[1]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Evangelista, who weighed 215 lbs., also began mixed martial arts as a way to lose weight. After compiling a 2-0 amateur MMA record, he made his professional MMA debut in January 2006. After a year away from the sport, he continued fighting in February 2007 when he made his debut for Strikeforce. During his career he trained under Jasper Tayaba at Team Buhawe.

Strikeforce

Over the next two years he amassed an impressive undefeated streak of 9-0.

Evangelista suffered his first recorded loss in a fight against Mike Aina at Strikeforce Challengers: Evangelista vs. Aina. He was originally disqualified for an alleged illegal knee strike to the head. However, replays showed it was a legal blow and the decision was eventually overturned by the California State Athletic Commission.[2]

Evangelista would rebound from this controversial loss, defeating both Waachiim Spiritwolf and Jorge Gurgel via decision on Strikeforce Challengers shows. He eventually did suffer his first defeat via decision against Jorge Masvidal at Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson.

Evangelista then faced K.J. Noons at Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal in December 2011.[3] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

After Strikeforce closed in January 2013, Evangelista was not among the fighters imported to the Ultimate Fighting Championship roster, having lost his last two Strikeforce bouts. He returned to action at The Warriors Cage: Conflict on June 21, 2013, finishing Josh Thornburg by TKO for his first stoppage win since 2008.[4]

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
17 matches 13 wins 3 losses
By knockout 5 0
By submission 0 1
By decision 8 2
No contests 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 13–3 (1) Felipe Fogolin Submission (rear-naked choke) TWC 20: Isolation June 20, 2014 1 1:41 Porterville, California, United States
Win 13–2 (1) Josh Thornburg TKO (punches) TWC 17: Conflict June 21, 2013 3 1:31 Porterville, California, United States
Win 12–2 (1) Zak Bucia Decision (unanimous) UPC Unlimited: Up & Comers 15 May 11, 2013 3 5:00 Fresno, California, United States Welterweight debut.
Loss 11–2 (1) KJ Noons Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal December 17, 2011 3 5:00 San Diego, California, United States
Loss 11–1 (1) Jorge Masvidal Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson March 5, 2011 3 5:00 Columbus, Ohio, United States
Win 11–0 (1) Waachiim Spiritwolf Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce Challengers: Bowling vs. Voelker October 22, 2010 3 5:00 Fresno, California, United States Catchweight (165 lbs) bout.
Win 10–0 (1) Jorge Gurgel Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce Challengers: Gurgel vs. Evangelista November 6, 2009 3 5:00 Fresno, California, United States Catchweight (160 lbs) bout.
NC 9–0 (1) Mike Aina No Contest (overturned by CSAC) Strikeforce Challengers: Evangelista vs. Aina May 15, 2009 2 3:42 Fresno, California, United States Catchweight (157 lbs) bout. Originally a DQ win for Aina due to an illegal knee strike to the head; overturned after it was determined that the knee struck the shoulder, not the head.
Win 9–0 Harris Sarmiento Decision (unanimous) PFC 12: High Stakes January 22, 2009 3 3:00 Lemoore, California, United States
Win 8–0 Luke Caudillo Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Payback September 3, 2008 3 5:00 Denver, Colorado, United States
Win 7–0 Nam Phan Decision (split) Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Thomson June 27, 2008 3 5:00 San Jose, California, United States
Win 6–0 Marlon Sims KO (punch) Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Le March 29, 2008 3 0:39 San Jose, California, United States Catchweight (163 lbs) bout.
Win 5–0 Clint Coronel Decision (split) Strikeforce: Playboy Mansion September 29, 2007 3 5:00 Beverly Hills, California, United States
Win 4–0 Ryan Bixler Decision (unanimous) Melee on the Mountain July 24, 2007 5 5:00 Friant, California, United States
Win 3–0 Alexander Crispim TKO (punches) Gladiator Challenge 61 March 31, 2007 3 3:48 San Francisco, California, United States
Win 2–0 Isaiah Hill TKO (punches) Strikeforce: Young Guns February 10, 2007 1 1:39 San Jose, California, United States
Win 1–0 Ryan Healy TKO (punches and elbows) WEC 18: Unfinished Business January 13, 2006 2 2:06 Lemoore, California, United States

[5]

See also

References

  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-10-14. Retrieved 2013-07-22.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. "Bellator champ Hector Lombard willing to move to 205 pounds for "Babalu" fight". MMAspot.com. August 24, 2009.
  3. "Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal". Strikeforce.com. 2011-10-11.
  4. "TWC 17 "Conflict" Results". EagleMtnCasino.com. 2013-06-22.
  5. http://sherdog.com/fighter/Billy-Evangelista-14857
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